Amanda Reiman, PhD

Dr. Amanda Reiman is a social worker and public health researcher specializing in cannabis science and policy. Reiman earned a doctorate in social welfare from the University of California, Berkeley, where she conducted pioneering research on medical cannabis patients and the use of cannabis as a substitute for alcohol and other drugs. Her work established the foundation for the study of cannabis as a substitute for other substances, and she has presented research on cannabis dispensaries and substitution for opiates internationally.

Reiman served as a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, teaching courses in substance abuse treatment, drug policy, sexuality and social work, and research methods. Following her academic tenure, she became director of research and patient services at Berkeley Patients Group and managed marijuana law and policy for the Drug Policy Alliance, contributing to legalization initiatives nationally and internationally. Reiman was the first chairwoman of the Berkeley Medical Cannabis Commission and served on the Oakland Cannabis Regulatory Commission, providing expertise in cannabis policy at local, national, and international levels.

Reiman has also held the position of chief knowledge officer at New Frontier Data, a data and insights company focused on the legal cannabis industry. There, she led research efforts involving more than 4,000 consumers across illicit, medical, and adult-use cannabis markets. She is the founder of "Personal Plants," a platform promoting mindful cannabis consumption and providing evidence-informed content for consumers, regulators, and media.

Reiman has published research articles and book chapters on cannabis as a substitute for opiates and the social history of the cannabis movement. Her writing has appeared in The Huffington Post, New York Times, Washington Post, Rolling Stone, and Playboy, as well as in peer-reviewed academic journals and textbooks. Reiman is recognized for her expertise in the relationship between cannabis, public health, and society, and has delivered keynote addresses at conferences in cannabis and public health. She serves on the boards of Mendocino Cannabis Alliance, Cannabis Doing Good, California Cannabis Tourism Association, and The Initiative, an incubator and accelerator for women-owned cannabis businesses.